Week 6 - Coroners

Question 1

What is the role of a coroner?

Answer 1

Investigates almost all deaths, including homicides, but does not investigate natural deaths that occurred under a doctor’s care when death could be reasonably expected.

Question 2

What is the history of death investigation?

Answer 2

It spans from prehistory to the establishment of the coroner’s system in England, which Canada adopted. The term “coroner” originated from “crowner” during King Alfred the Great’s reign (871-910 AD).

Question 3

What were the roles of early coroners?

Answer 3

They acted as death investigators within the entire justice system, responsible for examining bodies and scenes, making arrests, conducting inquests, and passing judgment.

Question 4

What significant event occurred in 1066 related to coroners?

Answer 4

The Norman Conquest introduced coroners and juries to determine whether the deceased was Norman or Saxon, leading to the Lex murdrorum, which imposed fines on villages if a Norman was found dead.

Question 5

Statue of westminster 1725

Answer 5

coroner attends homicide and any crime

order men from 4 towns as jury - also present evidence

make inquiries and determine guilt

Question 6

early coroners roles

Answer 6

eventually - just suspicious deaths

1751 - all sudden or unexpected

1887 - territory based on where decedent found

jury knew decedent

Question 7

coroners today

Answer 7

finders of fact, not guilt

determine cause of death

give recommendation to prevent similar deaths

sudden, unexpected, violent deaths

Question 8

north america coroner system

Answer 8

Coroner system US 1600s - Coroner also sheriff

1877 – medical examiner system

Some provinces have ME – AB, newfoundland, Manitoba, nova scotia

Ontario – coroner but must be MD (physicians)

Usually conducted for accident or unnatural deaths

Question 9

What is the role of coroners in Canada?

Answer 9

Independent individuals responsible for overseeing investigations into sudden deaths under provincial coroners’ acts; there is no federal role.

Question 10

What background do coroners in Canada typically have?

Answer 10

They usually have an investigative background and are mature individuals with life experiences, often retired police, doctors, or lawyers.

Question 11

Who presides over inquests in Canada?

Answer 11

Very experienced coroners preside over inquests, which have a quasi-judicial role.

Question 12

How do coroners respond to deaths in Canada?

Answer 12

Coroners are on call to attend almost all deaths, particularly in cases of homicide, where police are also present.

Question 13

What is the legal jurisdiction of coroners in Canada?

Answer 13

Coroners always have legal jurisdiction over the body, even in homicide cases; police must ask for proof to touch the body.

Question 14

What are the requirements for medical examiners (MEs) in Canada?

Answer 14

All MEs must be medical doctors; most are general practitioners rather than forensic pathologists.

Question 15

Who conducts autopsies in Canada?

Answer 15

Autopsies are typically conducted by forensic pathologists, while chief and deputy chief MEs are usually forensic pathologists.

Question 16

What are the main differences between medical examiners and coroners?

Answer 16

MEs are medical doctors with no judicial powers, while coroners (except in Ontario) do not need to be MDs and have judicial powers, conducting inquests.

Question 17

How are coroners in the US different from those in Canada?

Answer 17

US coroners are often elected politically and not hired based on merit, leading to recommendations for replacement by MEs.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the coroner’s service under the Ministry of Public Safety?

Answer 18

To investigate all unexpected and unexplained deaths, except natural deaths under a doctor’s care.

Question 19

What circumstances require reporting to a coroner?

Answer 19

Circumstances include violence, accidents, self-inflicted injuries, sudden deaths not under care of a doctor, and other specified conditions.

Question 20

What are the key roles of coroners?

Answer 20

Investigative, preventative, administrative (providing death certificates), and judicial (authority for inquests).

Question 21

How do coroners contribute to society?

Answer 21

They aid in the administration of justice, help bereaved families, report findings to the public, protect special interest groups, increase knowledge in public health, and identify dangerous situations for corrective actions.

Question 22

What does the “Golden Triangle” refer to in death investigations?

Answer 22

It encompasses the history of the deceased, the death scene, and the body itself, which are essential for answering the five key questions.

Question 23

What types of history are important in death investigations?

Answer 23

Medical, psychiatric, and social histories, as well as interviews with friends and family to explain the deceased’s frame of mind.

Question 24

What legal rights do coroners have at a death scene?

Answer 24

Coroners have broader rights to search and seize evidence without a warrant if they suspect it relates to a death.

Question 25

How do investigators determine if a drug overdose was accidental or suicidal?

Answer 25

They seize all relevant drugs and paraphernalia, and toxicology reports help establish the presence of substances.

Question 26

What aspects are examined on the body during a death investigation?

Answer 26

Body position, angle of wounds, number of injuries, external signs, and blood splatter patterns.

Question 27

What are the seizure rights under the Coroners Act?

Answer 27

Coroners can seize anything related to the death without a warrant; police require a separate warrant.

Question 28

What is the role of medical investigators in death cases?

Answer 28

They assist coroners with complex medical issues and provide recommendations to improve patient safety.

Question 29

How does a coroner classify the manner of death?

Answer 29

Based on the death investigation, including reports, interviews, history, and examination of the scene and body.

Question 30

What are some problems in the US coroner system?

Answer 30

Coroners are often elected based on popularity rather than qualifications, leading to potential misclassifications of deaths.

Question 31

Why are vital statistics on death important?

Answer 31

They help identify patterns in deaths within a community, which may inform resource allocation and training needs.

Question 32

What is the difference between an inquiry and an inquest?

Answer 32

An inquiry is a public document that answers five questions about a death, narrative of circumstances, summary of data, recommendations

an inquest is a quasi-judicial process to determine all aspects of the death.

Question 33

What is the nature of recommendations made by coroners?

Answer 33

Recommendations are reasonable and practical but not legally binding; about 80% are implemented

if not implemented and another accident - lawsuit

Question 34

coroner special investigation units

Answer 34

identification coroner - unknown cold cases

resource industry coroner - mining, forestry

special investigation coroner - police involved deaths

intimate partner violence/family violence coroner

drug death investigation team

GIS and identification analysis

Question 35

What types of cases does the Child Death Review Unit handle?

Answer 35

Cases involving sudden infant death, youth suicides, youth transitioning out of care, and accidents involving young drivers.

Question 36

inquest juries

Answer 36

Jury – 5-7 people – hear evidence from expert witnesses and witnesses

Jury – answer 5 questions , recommendations to prevent future deaths, cannot assign blame, protection for witnesses to not induce guilt

Make circumstances of death public

Question 37

reasons to do an inquest

Answer 37

Beneficial to address community concerns, assist in finding information, drawing attention to cause of death, mandatory if died in care of peace officer, no longer mandatory for all prison deaths (still undergo autopsy)

Question 38

When does a coroner investigate a death?

Answer 38

A coroner investigates upon receiving a report of death in BC, or if circumstances related to BC occur outside of BC.

Question 39

Can coroners investigate cases without a body?

Answer 39

Yes, they can investigate if the body is missing, destroyed, cannot be recovered, or removed from BC without authorization, reporting to the chief coroner for direction.

Question 40

What powers does a coroner have during an investigation?

Answer 40

A coroner can take possession of the body, enter relevant locations, inspect cemeteries, access records, seize items, take charge of wreckage, and require information under oath.

Question 41

Who can direct the holding of an inquest?

Answer 41

The chief coroner or the minister can direct an inquest, particularly if the death occurred in custody or in public interest.

Question 42

What authority does the Attorney General have regarding inquests?

Answer 42

The Attorney General can direct that an inquest not be held if a person is charged with a criminal offense related to the death.

Question 43

Who must be notified of the inquest’s time and place?

Answer 43

The minister, crown counsel, deceased’s family, and any requesters, including representatives from the workplace if applicable.

Question 44

What is required for summoning a jury for an inquest?

Answer 44

A notice must be sent at least 30 days prior, with a jury of 5-7 members, familiar with the deceased’s work if related.

Question 45

Under what circumstances can jurors be discharged?

Answer 45

If they fall ill, fail to attend, die, or are otherwise unable to continue, as long as at least 3 jurors remain.

Question 46

When can an inquest be closed to the public?

Answer 46

If necessary to fulfill its purpose, protect privacy, ensure fair trials, or address national security concerns.

Question 47

What is the coroner’s power regarding information acceptance?

Answer 47

A coroner can receive and admit relevant evidence and may exclude anything deemed irrelevant.

Question 48

What rights do witnesses have during an inquest?

Answer 48

Witnesses may receive advice from counsel, and their answers cannot be used against them in trials except for perjury prosecutions.

Question 49

What must the jury’s verdict include?

Answer 49

The verdict must determine who the deceased was, how, when, where, and by what means they died, and may include recommendations.

Question 50

When do the coroner’s investigative powers end?

Answer 50

Powers end after a report is made to the chief coroner, following the inquest or if no further directions are needed regarding the death.

Question 51

What disqualifies a coroner from investigating a death?

Answer 51

Disqualifications include having attended the deceased medically within a year, performing a postmortem examination, or having a financial interest in the deceased’s case.